The EIC is delighted to be organising a trade mission to Nigeria from 01-06 November 2009. The mission is fully supported by UKTI. Missioners will have the opportunity to attend organised group meetings/themed site visits with key local players.

Please note that this is a tentative itinerary. This is designed to give you an idea of the intended format of the mission. The full programme will be confirmed in due course and tuned towards the needs of participating companies.

Energy Industry in Nigeria

On April 21, 2007, Nigeria held presidential elections, marking the first time in Nigeria’s history that the country passed control from one civilian government to another. The Nigerian economy is heavily dependent on the oil sector, which accounts for 95 percent of the country’s total export revenues. According to Oil and Gas Journal (OGJ), Nigeria had 36.2 billion barrels of proven oil reserves as of January 2007. Nigeria has total production capacity of three million barrels per day (bbl/d) including two million bbl/d onshore and one million bbl/d offshore. Nigeria is the largest oil producer in Africa, the eleventh largest producer of crude oil in the world and a member of OPEC. In 2006, total Nigerian oil production, including lease condensates, natural gas liquids and refinery gain, averaged 2.45 million bbl/d (of which 2.28 million bbl/d was crude oil). If Nigeria could bring back online all oil currently shut-in, EIA estimates that Nigeria could reach crude oil production capacity of three million bbl/d. With the help of new projects coming online, the Nigerian government hopes to increase oil production capacity to four million bbl/d by 2010. The majority of reserves are found along the country's Niger River Delta, in southern Nigeria and offshore in the Bight of Benin, Gulf of Guinea and Bight of Bonny. Significant project offshore include Olokola Gas Supply (Chevron), Bonga South West & Aparo Oil Fields (Shell) & Nsiko Oil & Gas Field (Chevron).

The Joint Development Zone (JDZ), shared by Nigeria and neighbouring Sao Tome and Principe, contains 23 exploration blocks and could potentially hold up to 14 billion barrels of oil reserves. Nigeria and Sao Tome have agreed to split revenues from the blocks on a 60:40 basis, respectively. The International Monetary Fund estimates that Sao Tome and Principe could net more than $700 million per year if oil production output of 80,000 bbl/d is attained before 2013. Block One is currently the only block in the JDZ undergoing development. The block is controlled by Chevron (51 percent), with partners ExxonMobil (40 percent) and Equity Energy Resources (9 percent). If oil is located, Chevron plans to bring it onstream by 2012.

OGJ estimates that Nigeria had an estimated 182 trillion cubic feet (Tcf) of proven natural gas reserves as of January 2007, which makes Nigeria the seventh largest natural gas reserve holder in the world and the largest in Africa. The majority of the natural gas reserves are located in the Niger Delta. In 2004, Nigeria produced 770 billion cubic feet (Bcf) of natural gas, while consuming 325 Bcf. The government plans to raise earnings from natural gas exports to 50 percent of oil revenues by 2010. However, NNPC estimates that $15 billion in private sector investments is necessary to meet its natural gas development goals by 2010.

A significant portion of Nigeria’s natural gas is processed into LNG. Nigeria's most ambitious natural gas projects are the $3.8 billion Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) facility on Bonny Island and the $12bn Akwa Ibom LNG Project (Tom Shot LNG). Partners including NNPC, Shell, Total and Agip completed the first phase of the NLNG facility in September 1999. In 2006, NLNG completed its fifth train increasing annual production capacity to 17 million tons per year of LNG. NLNG brought a sixth train online in late 2007, raising production capacity to 22 million tons per year. A seventh train could come online in 2011. The facility is currently supplied from dedicated (non-associated) natural gas fields, but it is anticipated that within a few years half of the natural gas feedstock will consist of associated (currently flared) natural gas from existing oil fields.

Map of Nigeria



























Full Benefits of Participation

(1)  Along with the support of the EIC, there is also full support of UKTI through the
British Embassy in Lagos.
(2)  Opportunity to participate in pre-arranged group meetings, themed site visits and
in-country briefing.
(3)  Logistical assistance from EIC Mission Manager and support/advice on markets from
The EIC.
(4)  Inclusion in mission brochure (circulated in advance of mission).
(5)  Assistance with travel arrangements through appointed travel agent.
(6)  Shared logistical costs (for example, brochure, transport, etc).
(7)  A chance to network and exchange information with other missioners.

TENTATIVE ITINERARY

* Delegates will conduct their own appointments and meetings

Local Briefings:

Upon arrival in Lagos, the British Deputy High Commission will give a briefing to update participants on the economic and political situation and local trading conditions and requirements.

Ambassador's Residence - Reception:

A reception will be co-hosted by the British Deputy high Commission and the group during the visit in order to allow missioners to meet useful contacts.  Prior to arrival, the British Deputy High Commission will invite potential customers and contact they feel will be useful for missioners to meet.

Meetings:

Group meetings in Lagos will be organised by the British Deputy High Commission with key players within the industry, including state and international operator and contractors.  The final programme will be tailored to suit missioner's requirements as closely as possible.  Please state on the Supplementary Data Form (will be sent to you electronically) the names of companies and individuals you would like to see included in the programme.  These details will then be forwarded to the Trade & Investment Sections to help them in the planning of the visit.  It is the intention to organise structured group visits but with time free for missioners to make individual visits and follow-up calls.

Additional Application Notes:

Participating companies should ensure that the representative on the mission has authority and is competent to discuss the supply of the products or services they wish to sell.  In addition they need to be able to meet all the costs of their participation.

Mission Information Pack:

A mission information pack will be sent out to you prior to the Trade Mission including final itinerary and travel details etc.  Should you have any questions in the lead up to the mission please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Delegate Numbers:

Total numbers are limited to 20 missioners to ensure group members receive the best value as possible during the visit.  However, please note we will require a minimum of 10 missioners in order for this mission to go ahead.  I would advise waiting until we reach this number of delegates before booking non-refundable flights.

The figure for flights and accommodation is from £1,887.00 for the mission.  This is based on flights from London, Heathrow to Lagos return, the cost for air travel in economy class throughout and all ticketable airport taxes (£641.00) along with accommodation inclusive of service and tax and breakfast daily at the EKO HOTEL & SUITES LAGOS NIGERIA for 5 nights (£1,246.00 per person).  Flights are available from other airports in the UK on request.

The following flight is recommended:-

This rate is subject to availability and is subject to change.

A visa is required to enter Nigeria for British citizens and can be organised by Mercian travel on your behalf.  This approcimately £150.00, dependant on timescale.  Holders of other nationality passports should contact Mercian Travel as other requirements may be necessary.

Kindly note, missioners must organise their own travel insurance, as they will not be covered by the EIC.

lastly, if you do decide to make your own travel arrangements, rather than use the EIC Appointed Agent (Mercian Travel), please ensure that you keep EIC informed about your plans.  We request that you stay at the same hotel as the rest of the group for logistical reasons and arrive at a similar time to the flights above for the armoured airport transfer to the hotel.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

I would like to fly out independently from the group.

That's fine, but we would prefer if you do come on the suggested flight - or arrive in the airport at a similar time to the suggested flight, due to the armoured transports and escorted transfer to the hotel.  If you do arrive at another time, you will be responsible for your own transfer.  (Mercian Travel can organise individual transfers).

If you do make your own flight and accommodation arrangements, please ensure you notify EIC with your details.  It will be your responsibility to find out about any changes to the itinerary during the visit.

Our company is UK-registered but I would like to have someone from our local office participate in the mission.

As long as it is the UK-registered company being promoted, we would be delighted to have them in the group.

I would like to have two representatives from our Company on this mission.

Total numbers are limited to 20 missioners to ensure group members receive the best value as possible during the visit, so this will only be allowed if the mission is under-subscribed.  At this stage, space is limited to one person per company.

We are new to these markets.  Why is this trip such a good idea for us?

EIC Trade Missions are an ideal way to 'dip your toe in the water'.  It is an excellent introduction to a new market, enabling you to gain from the experience of others in the group while in a supportive environment.  The visit will give you a good grounding, introducing you to key people in the market, an opportunity to gain an understanding of the business culture whilst meeting valuable contacts that can be followed up on subsequent visits.

We already have substantial experience in these markets.  Why is this trip such a good idea for us?

EIC Trade Missions are an ideal way to strengthen existing business relationships as well as establish high level contacts with some of the key players in the oil and gas sector.

Would it be possible to commission a report by the British Deputy High Commission in Lagos?

Yes, an Overseas Market Introduction Service (OMIS) can be requested.  Reports should be requested as soon as possible.  For more information, contact:-

Monique Kibara;  Trade Development Manager; This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Andrew Davison;  Deputy Director, Trade Development; This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

Since places will be awarded on a first come, first served basis in order of receiving signed application forms, please complete the EIC application form and fax to Laura Tavernor at the EIC as soon as possible, followed by:-

Application Form
Cheque for Management Fee and Communal Charge

You will also be requested to fill in a publicity form with photo and logo as well as
supplementary data regarding your objectives in Nigeria to assist with finalising the
itinerary.

PLEASE NOTE  :  We will require a questionnaire to be completed by each
Delegate upon return from the mission.

Please click here to download the EIC Oil & Gas Trade Mission to Lagos, Nigeria APPLICATION FORM